Economic and Geoecological Losses from the Development of Nickel Deposits in the Central Black Soil Region of Russia - Juniper publishers
Journal of Insights in Mining Science & Technology Abstract The planned production of copper-nickel ore in the Central black earth zone of Russia (Voronezh region) at the current level of environmental measures will lead to irreparable environmental consequences. The negative impact of the mining and processing plant on the environment, groundwater, air, soil is shown. Economic losses due to irreplaceable damage on fertile soils are estimated. Keywords: Copper-nickel deposits; Ore enrichment, ecology; Groundwater; Black soil; Khoper river; Acid rain; Economic losses Introduction In 2012, it was decided to develop the Yelansky and Yelkinsky copper-nickel deposits in the Novokhopersky District of the Voronezh Region. It is planned to build a mining and processing plant, with a full mining and smelting cycle in a densely populated area with unique black-earth soils. This can lead to irreversible environmental losses in the most productive agricultural region of Russia - t...